“If we felt the government wasn’t listening to our needs, we could have very easily done that,” he said. “But we’ve been in touch with the province and they’ve told us they’re willing to provide support.”

“We just want to make sure the decisions are being made by us.”

Help and Hope

The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services has launched a new Facebook page called Reach Out Nunavik to encourage youth to celebrate life.

Health officials encourage Nunavimmiut to reach out to talk to family, friend and professionals any time they are feeling despair.

Nunavimmiut can speak to a health care professional by calling their local CLSC health clinic at -9090.

For residents of Nunavik and Nunavut, support is available in both English and Inuktitut, 24 hours a day, by calling the Kamatsiaqtut help line at 1-800-265-3333.

You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anywhere in Canada at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English-language support.